New Chamber Chair

CHAMBER SAYS THANK YOU TO OUTGOING CHAIR

As the Chamber mark a new era with Mike Forrester becoming new Chair of the Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce, this edition features a fitting tribute to outgoing Chair, Jim McBride, who has served the Chamber for over a decade.

Jim has served on the Worcestershire Area Council for many years including his role as Chair and has held roles of President of the Chamber of Commerce and for the last 6 years Chair of the Chamber. Jim’s commitment, passion and dedication to promote and serve the businesses of Herefordshire and Worcestershire has been never ending. He is a true Ambassador, Leader and has relentlessly supported charities in the two counties through some extreme physical challenges, including a recent walk of Hadrian’s wall and not forgetting his 7-day Canadian Canoe journey of the River Severn with Ben Mannion. Through his Board positions, Jim has provided strategic direction and guidance to the Chamber over many years, ensuring the company remains focused on our Members’ support and achievement of long term local economic success. Jim has helped with finances, security, growth and leadership, ensuring we have benefited from his vast business experience. His straight-talking approach has provided much needed clarity at times of difficulty and has helped the Chamber battle through the challenges and secure new opportunities. He is a regular attendee of Chamber Manufacturing Forums, Expos and Awards evening, an excellent contributor to Chamber Policy work and has ensured that the Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce remains a best performing and high-profile Chamber within the 53 strong National Chamber network. This has proved a valuable asset, ensuring top officials and London-based government departments know and understand the diversity of our local area and most importantly its businesses. Some of the Chamber’s key achievements over Jim’s Chairmanship include being named as the Chamber of the Year in 2013, an International finalist in the World Chamber completion in 2017 and one of the Sunday Times Best Companies to work for, over the last 4 years. Alongside this, the Chamber have grown over Jim’s tenure to be the 7th largest in the UK, one of the largest contributors to Chamber National Policy Surveys and a serious partner for both private business and the public sector. Jim’s knowledge and experience internationally has also driven success for the Chamber locally, participating in overseas missions to China, Brussels and Russia, ensuring the two counties benefit from not only local, regional and national profile, but international too. Jim has been a friend and mentor to many businesses, Members, clients and Chamber employees throughout this time, myself included and everyone at the Chamber would like to wish Jim all the best in both his ongoing business pursuits and support of the two Counties, on behalf of the Chamber, Members and partners. And finally Jim, we’ve had FUN along the way! From everyone at the Chamber, we hope you enjoy these photos as a reminder of your journey.

First, I am both honoured and excited to have the opportunity to step into the Chair role of the Chamber from February. Jim McBride has filled the role with an exceptionally diligent performance, both leading the Board and promoting the Chamber within the two counties, at regional and National level. A great example that I aspire to follow.

- Mike Forrester, New Chair of HW Chamber

There are few people who are as generous with their time in supporting Herefordshire and Worcestershire businesses as Jim McBride. And he does it whilst managing to appear both grumpy and cheerful at the same time!

- Duncan Sutcliffe, Sutcliffe Insurance Brokers Ltd

Jim, I can think of many stories and experiences we’ve shared over the years but I have to say that the one which has stayed in my mind always was our trip to Sydney and our late night drinking (last men standing). We didn’t win the Chamber award, but we certainly gave it our best shot! Thanks for all your support and encouragement over the years, I will miss you.

MIKE FORRESTER RETURNS TO THE BOARD AS CHAIR OF HEREFORDSHIRE & WORCESTERSHIRE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Returning to the Board as Chair, Mike Forrester is more than ready for action as he supports the existing team at the Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce. Together, they take on the new challenges for 2022. Mike says: “First, I am both honoured and excited to have the opportunity to step into the Chair role of the Chamber from February. Jim McBride has filled the role with an exceptionally diligent performance, both leading the board and promoting the Chamber within the two counties, at regional and national level.” “I welcome the opportunity to support the Membership team and meet again many of the well established companies, through to new sole trader start-ups, and all the inspirational businesses in between, across the two counties.” With his sights firmly set on encouraging the growth of local business, Mike has taken up the position of Chair since 1 February 2022. The Chamber would like to express our utmost gratitude for the work and contributions of outgoing Chair, Jim McBride and we hope to see him throughout the calendar of Chamber events. We would also like to wish Mike the best of luck as he settles into his new role within the Chamber.

- Dawn Hardman, Director of HR, HW Chamber

I first met Jim 9 years ago at an event at Birmingham Town Hall. In fact he was one of the first people I met in the Worcestershire business community. A wine-fuelled evening ensued with some great banter and debate. 9 years on and nothing changes! Well done Jim on your massive contribution. Good luck for the future.

- Chris Walklett, Bishop Fleming

“Personally, I have learned an awful lot from Jim about how to deliver as an effective Non-Exec…and also had a lot of fun at Board Meetings, Expos, Conferences, Awards and countless Business Leaders Dinners. His energy, efficiency and expertise will certainly be missed as will his genuine passion for what the Chamber of Commerce delivers in promoting the local business community. A particular highlight includes the two of us canoeing the length of the River Severn back in 2018 to raise funds for Megan Baker House, of which Jim is a trustee, and I am looking forward to the two of us taking on another challenge together in the next 12 months.”